CRS In Action: While You Were Out: To The Beach And Back

February 9, 2016 at 3:42 PM (PT)

This afternoon (2/9), COUNTRY RADIO SEMINAR (CRS) 2016 offered a panel, "WHILE YOU WERE OUT: TO THE BEACH AND BACK," which focused in on how you look at radio after taking time away. Radio vet GREGG LINDAHL led the panel, which featuerd panelists CUMULUS/NASHVILLE OM CHARLIE COOK, BILLBOARD Country/Christian/Gospel Chart Mgr. JIM ASKER, CBS RADIO Country KMNB/MINNEAPOLIS OM LAUREN MACLEASH, and MIDWEST COMMUNICATIONS Country Brand Mgr. TOM BALDRICA, who shared their insights on their time away from radio, and what they learned and were able to bring back with them when they returned.

They each shared the circumstances for their leaving radio, which were all different, but they all agreed that in their absence from radio, they reset their priorities, and when they ultimately came back to radio, they were much more productive. BALDRICA touched upon the idea that you don't think of work as "work" if you love it, and that balance is okay. All of the panelists agreed that they found anxiety and guilt in trying to find that balance between personal and professional. MACLEASH added, "Take a walk!" It doesn't take a whole lunch break to find balance, but sometimes a walk is all you need to refocus.

When asked about their time away from radio as listeners, the panelists provided an array of comments. "I have to leave the format to enjoy radio," admitted COOK. ASKER shared that he used his time off to ask students how they listen to music and why they listen. MACLEASH also admitted that she had to leave the format, and that she couldn't even listen to her old station. However, all of the panelists agreed that they couldn't leave radio forever; they need to stay in touch and be connected, so radio will always be relevant.